scholarly journals Impact of spectator motivation on long-term sustainability for women’s basketball league

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 519
Author(s):  
Nicole Jackson ◽  
Asia Thompson ◽  
Minyong Lee ◽  
Jerono Rotich ◽  
Tiffany Fuller

As the league prepares for its 20th season, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has experienced some highs and some lows. The purpose of this study was to understand spectator motivation and to assess new strategies that the league could use to better improve the overall product of the game itself. How can the WNBA expand its fan base to help generate enough revenue that can ensure the league can support itself financially? In order to better understand people's attitudes towards the WNBA, we conducted an online survey that we then submitted on social media for people to express their thoughts on what they liked about the league and what they would like to see implemented in the future. The results from our surveys (N=93) showed that the majority of our participants were satisfied with the overall product the WNBA has to offer (affordability and family-oriented atmosphere), yet, it still lacked a certain "excitement" factor that would make the participant want to personally watch or attend a game. We concluded that in order for the league to truly flourish and gain the recognition and financial success it deserves, league executives should consider incorporating new, innovative ideas that can breathe new life into the league for the next 20 years.

2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (10) ◽  
pp. 1049-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen E Gilman ◽  
Onyebuchi A Arah ◽  
Lisa M Bates ◽  
Charles C Branas ◽  
Yvette C Cozier ◽  
...  

Abstract “The mission of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee (D&I) in the Society for Epidemiologic Research is to foster the diversity of our membership and work towards the engagement of all members, from diverse backgrounds at all stages of their careers, in the Society’s activities, with the intent of enhancing discovery in public health.” As a foundational step in implementing our mission, the D&I Committee conducted a survey of SER membership. Here we report on the efforts we have undertaken to expand the diversity and inclusiveness of our Society and our aspirations for future efforts in support of D&I. Early on, we established the SERvisits program to conduct outreach to institutions and students that have historically been underrepresented at SER; we hope this program continues to grow in its reach and impact. We have also taken steps to increase the inclusiveness of SER activities, for example, by engaging members on issues of D&I through symposia and workshops at SER annual meetings and through social media. DeVilbiss et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(10):998–1010) have demonstrated that there is substantial room for improvement with regards to diversity and inclusion within SER. We invite SER members to become involved and collaborate on this long-term goal.


Author(s):  
Jeremy Lipschultz

The discussion of crime news on television must begin with a basic cultural understanding that journalism is facing a time of dramatic change. Mitchell Stephens argued in his 2014 book Beyond News: The Future of Journalism that the news process remains challenging to define: “Journalism is the activity of collecting, presenting, interpreting, or commenting upon the news for some portion of the public” (p. xiii). In the case of crime news, a variety of historical developments changed the nature of newsgathering and presentation. Sociological and cultural theories help us understand the process, the content, and the effects. An examination of the various approaches to the study of crime news will extend cultural understanding to entertainment media and long-term societal implications of new technologies, such as social media.


Author(s):  
Anatoliy Gruzd ◽  
Jenna Jacobson ◽  
Elizabeth Dubois

The amount and complexity of data that can be accessed from social media has been increasing exponentially. We examine the value of using information visualizations as a tool to study people’s attitudes and perceptions regarding their social media data being used by third parties. In the context of using social media to screen job applicants, we investigate the role of visualizations in studying users’ social media privacy concerns. Utilizing an online survey of 454 participants, we compare participants’ comfort levels in relation to different types of publicly accessible social media data. The results partially support the supposition that analytical information based on some form of data analysis will receive a stronger reaction when accompanied by representative visualizations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (2A(116A)) ◽  
pp. 29-43
Author(s):  
Bożena Jaskowska

Purpose/Thesis: The article considers the management strategies employed at Polish academic libraries during a crisis situation, using the lockdown imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. (The lockdown is defined here as the period between March 12th and June 2020). The study identifies the most significant obstacles to operating efficiently in the unstable VUCA environment. Approach/Methods: The author uses research methods of sociology, collecting data from the directors of Polish academic libraries by the means of an online survey, with the response rate approximating 30%. The survey included questions about the organization of information and library services during the lockdown, and about the management obstacles the libraries faced.Results and conclusions: The results suggest that both directors and staff of academic libraries did their best in the crisis situation. They adjusted the information and library service procedures, seeking to efficiently organize remote work, and manage the dispersed work environment. The most often mentioned management obstacles included the necessity for rapid adjustment, the impossibility of long-term planning, and the changing duties. However, the libraries implemented a number of solutions, which may serve them in the future if need be, such as rotational shifts, higher flexibility of organization, and task-oriented approach to professional duties. Practical implications: The study presents procedures to be applied in the case of another lockdown, identifies good practices, and relays the experiences of other academic libraries in order to improve information services at the reader's place of employment; it may inspire them to optimize information and library processes. Originality/Value: It is the first such study of the activity of Polish academic libraries during the lockdown. The results may contribute to discussions about the organizational flexibility of academic libraries and their capacity for adjustment, and well as about the future development or phaseout of certain areas of their activity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019372352110671
Author(s):  
Connor Penfold ◽  
Jamie Cleland

This article explores the views of 906 football fans (96% of whom selfidentified as White), collected via an online survey from May-June 2019, regarding the impact of the leading equality and inclusion organization, Kick It Out, in delivering initiatives to challenge the multifaceted expressions of racism by some White English football fans. Whilst fans recognize the importance of raising awareness of racial discrimination, nearly three quarters of White fans do not engage with any Kick It Out initiatives. In the face of new challenges, including the largely unregulated space of social media, and a socio-political climate that has facilitated the resurgence of overtly expressed bigoted, colour and cultural-based racisms, the article stresses that the English football authorities must support the work of anti-racism organizations to increase their potency amongst White fans if racial discrimination is to be more effectively challenged in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 420-420
Author(s):  
Raven Weaver

Abstract A representative U.S. sample of adults completed an online survey (N=360) about perceived changes in social health and wellbeing since the implementation of physical distancing restrictions in April. Analyses are conducted on a subsample of adults aged 60+ (n=93; m=65.7 years; SD=4.7). Baseline bivariate descriptive analyses showed no geographic-based differences in self-rated health, resilience, perceived financial wellbeing, or family/friend support measures. Content analysis of rural residents’ (n=20) responses about coping strategies and positive experiences across three time points (April/July/November) revealed aspects of resilience. Individuals coped via acceptance and planning; engaging in activities; and keeping with routines. Positive experiences were relatively stable over time, with individuals describing improved health habits and enhanced social connectedness with family/neighbors. Individuals identified societal betterment and saving money as unintended benefits of the efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. When faced with adversity, identifying positive experiences may help individuals cope with challenges in the long-term


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Anderson ◽  
Wendy Wood

If platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the engines of social media use, what is the gasoline? The answer can be found in the psychological dynamics behind consumer habit formation and performance. In fact, the financial success of different social media sites is closely tied to the daily‐use habits they create among users. We explain how the rewards of social media sites motivate user habit formation, how social media design provides cues that automatically activate habits and nudge continued use, and how strong habits hinder quitting social media. Demonstrating that use habits are tied to cues, we report a novel test of a 2008 change in Facebook design, showing that it impeded posting only of frequent, habitual users, suggesting that the change disrupted habit automaticity. Finally, we offer predictions about the future of social media sites, highlighting the features most likely to promote user habits.


2018 ◽  
pp. 141-159
Author(s):  
Sarah Birch

This chapter examines the issue of electoral integrity at the 2017 general election and in British politics more generally. While elections are generally administered to high standards and are free of some of the problems found in other democracies, a number of recent party-funding scandals and localised incidents of misconduct have greatly increased the issue’s salience. Moreover, the 2017 election was also contested under the shadow of the alleged rise of ‘fake news’ and ‘post-truth’ politics. Looking to the future, changing behaviour around social media raise important questions about the long-term integrity of British elections.


2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 3-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
LARRY WOS

In the beginning (the early 1960s), the long-term goal of automated reasoning (although the field at the time was not known by that name) was the design and implementation of a program whose use would lead to "real" and significant contributions to mathematics by offering sufficient power for the discovery of proofs. The realization of that goal appeared to be at least six decades in the future. However, with amazement and satisfaction, we can report that fewer than four decades were required. In this article, we present evidence for this claim, thanks to W. McCune's program OTTER. Our focus is on various landmarks, or milestones, of two types. One type concerns the formulation of new strategies and methodologies whose use greatly enhances the power of a reasoning program. A second type focuses on actual contributions to mathematics and (although not initially envisioned) to logic. We give examples of each type of milestone, and, perhaps of equal importance, demonstrate that advances are far more likely to occur if the two classes are closely intertwined. We draw heavily on material presented in great detail in the new book Automated Reasoning and the Discovery of Missing and Elegant Proofs, published by Rinton Press.


Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Andriessen ◽  
Dolores Angela Castelli Dransart ◽  
Julie Cerel ◽  
Myfanwy Maple

Abstract. Background: Suicide can have a lasting impact on the social life as well as the physical and mental health of the bereaved. Targeted research is needed to better understand the nature of suicide bereavement and the effectiveness of support. Aims: To take stock of ongoing studies, and to inquire about future research priorities regarding suicide bereavement and postvention. Method: In March 2015, an online survey was widely disseminated in the suicidology community. Results: The questionnaire was accessed 77 times, and 22 records were included in the analysis. The respondents provided valuable information regarding current research projects and recommendations for the future. Limitations: Bearing in mind the modest number of replies, all from respondents in Westernized countries, it is not known how representative the findings are. Conclusion: The survey generated three strategies for future postvention research: increase intercultural collaboration, increase theory-driven research, and build bonds between research and practice. Future surveys should include experiences with obtaining research grants and ethical approval for postvention studies.


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